1868. j 
235 
Heteromera, (closely pressed by the Brachelytra) predominate, with 49 exponents ; 
the Hydradepliaga being at the bottom of the list, with 7 species, while the 
Longicornes are utterly absent. The meagre nature of this list is apparently 
caused by the utter aridity of the soil, the comparative absence of vegetation, and 
the unfavourable time at which the islands were visited. Enough, however, has 
been done to shew that, with trifling exceptions, the relative proportions of groups 
here are nearly the same as in the other islands of the Atlantic typo. The most 
characteristic forms seem to be Oxycara and Trichosternum, both heteromerous, and 
(though individually less abundant) a Rhynchophorous genus enunciated as 
Dinas : the familiar Scijmnus appears also to be very well represented. Ten new 
genera ai"e established in the volume now being noticed (of which Nematoscelis, a 
long-legged Oligota, seems the most anomalous), and 153 species are described as 
new ; but it must be observed that the author, with exceeding candour, himself 
suggests in many instances the possibility of certain of these being only isolated or 
modified forms of other species. In this respect, as in all others whei'o there 
would appear to be the slightest room for doubt, his utter lack of dogmatism and 
most evident desire to arrive at the truth, irrespective of theory, are very con- 
spicuous. Of the insects recorded, the following list of British species appears 
interesting, and can be compared with the corresponding list in the Eeview of 
Col. Atlant. in this Magazine. Blemus, Cyclonotum, Philliydrus melanocephalus, 
Sericoderus, CarjpopMlus, Monotonia spinicolUs, Trogosita, Silvanus surinamensis, 
Crijtopliagus scanicus and dentatus, Latridius minutus, Myrmecoxenus, Typhwa, 
Dermestes vulpinus, Apliodius lividus, Corynetes rujipes, Meziiim sulcatum (concern- 
ing which, the idea formerly expressed, as to its being aboriginal to the Atlantic 
islands, receives further corroboration in this volume), Anohiiim paniceum, 
Sitophilus granarius aud oryzos, Coccinella 1 -punctata, TriboUum, Gnathocerus, both 
Alphitohii, Anthicus Jloralis, Homalota coriaria and clientula, Leucoparyphus, 
Philonthus scyialarius, ventralis and discoideus, Leptacinits parumpunctatus and 
Litliocharis ochracea and oisoleta. Many of these are, of course, almost cosmo- 
politan ; but one can appreciate the disgust with which a British entomologist, 
landing on one of the Cape de Verdes, and longing for strange forms, would renew 
his acquaintance with these "old familiar faces," — especially if they all turned 
up at once. 
There is an Appendix to the volume now being noticed, consisting of additions 
to and corrections of species noticed in the Coleoptera Atlantidum, &c. Amongst 
the corrections, we notice two to which it occurs to us to object ; viz., those 
referring to the Ocypus atratus and Homalium sculpticolle of Wollaston. M. Fauvel, 
according to the Appendix, states that the former is absolutely conspecific with 
0. ater ; but Mr. Wollaston (Can. Col., 567 ; Col. Atl., 489), in comparing it with 
that species, notes that its mandibles are simple internally (in 0. ater they have a 
strong and sharp tooth on the inner side), that its head is shorter, or more 
straightly truncate behind the eyes, and that its throax is a trifle longer, with the 
posterior angles less completely rounded off. From an examination of the three 
types of 0. atratus in the Can. Col., Brit. Mus., the following comparative 
characters must be added : it is more depressed altogether, the mandibles are 
much less robust, the thorax is apparently broader ; the eyes reach nearer to the 
